A significant political controversy has ignited in Uttarakhand after it emerged that substantial funds from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme were credited to the bank accounts of Purola MLA Durgeshwar Lal and his wife. The details, showing transactions exceeding ₹22,000, have gone viral on social media, leading to accusations and a heated debate.
The Details of the Transactions
According to data from the official MGNREGA portal, a total of ₹22,962 was transferred to the accounts of MLA Durgeshwar Lal and his wife Nisha between 2021 and 2025. The payments were designated for work purportedly done by 11 labourers in Rekcha village, located in the Mori development block of Uttarkashi district.
Officials from the Mori block office clarified that the MLA and his wife held valid job cards before Lal was elected to the state assembly in the 2022 elections. They stated the payments were made "by mistake." A breakdown of the transactions reveals that ₹5,214 was paid for three works after Lal became an MLA, while ₹17,748 was credited for seven works completed prior to his election.
Timeline of Works and Payments
The portal's records provide a specific timeline. In June 2022, Nisha Lal reportedly received work for the construction of a concrete road in Rekcha. Later, in August-September 2024 and November 2024, she received further payments for road construction in Bajudi Tok and tree plantation work in Samladi Tok, respectively. This year, in 2025, payments were made to MLA Durgeshwar Lal's account for land development work in Pinekchi Tok.
Adding a layer of mystery to the case, Mori block office assistant Yashwant stated that the MLA had not signed any muster roll (the official attendance and work record). He further revealed that neither the relevant file nor the muster roll was physically available at the block office for verification.
Contradictory Claims and Official Response
Facing allegations, MLA Durgeshwar Lal has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. He called the entire episode a "conspiracy to tarnish my image." Lal argued, "MGNREGA muster roll is not issued until the person who does the work signs it. I did have a job card before becoming an MLA. This is a deliberate attempt to malign me."
On the other hand, the administration has initiated a probe. Mori Block Development Officer Shashibhushan Binjola confirmed, "The matter has come to our attention and information will be sought from the concerned personnel. Full recovery of the funds released under the scheme will be made from the person found guilty." This statement underscores the official stance that procedural lapses occurred and that accountability will be enforced.
The incident has put a spotlight on the implementation and monitoring of central government welfare schemes like MGNREGA at the grassroots level, especially when elected representatives are involved. The political opposition is likely to leverage this issue, demanding a thorough investigation into whether this was an isolated clerical error or indicative of a larger systemic flaw.
